Tag Archives: Rita

Sai Tamhankar
Interviews

Sai Tamhankar, Actress

Aside

After playing a variety of roles through TV serials like ‘Ya Gojirvanya Gharaat’, ‘Agnishikha’ and ‘Saathi Re’, Saie Tamhankar made her entry into Bollywood playing cameo in films like ‘Black and White’ and ‘Gajani’. But, her role in Subhash Ghai’ marathi film ‘Sanai Choughade’ actually brought her into limelight and her acting career actually took off. In the recent past, she was also seen in films like ‘Be Dune Sade Char’, ‘Picnic’ and ‘Rita’.

Sai TamhankarAt present, Saie has become very popular through her performance in popular TV serial ‘Anubandh’. Marathi Movie World spoke to Saie about her career and experience in this field. Excerpts from an interview:

Q : How did you land into acting field?
A: I would say that my destiny brought me here. When I was doing my 12th, I performed for the first time in a play. Thereafter, I developed interest in acting and started taking part in Inter collegiate competitions. I enjoyed this field and made up my mind to choose this field as my career.

Q: What you have say about your role in TV serial ‘Anubandh’ ?
A: Actually, I liked the script and therefore accepted the role immediately. But, there is a lot of difference between character of Ashwini you see in the serial and myself. In fact, the character of Ashwini resembles a lot with my school time friend . While preparing myself for this role, after reading the script, I could only think of my friend. In Ashwini, you will almost find my friend but not me.

Q: How was your experience doing films like ‘Black and White’ and ‘Gajani’?
A: I really had a very good experience doing these Bollywood films. On the sets of ‘Black and White’ Subhashji saw me and being a Maharashtrian, I was selected for the role of Sai in his forthcoming Marathi film ‘Sanai Choughade’.

Q: During your college life, you have done stage plays. Would you be interested now, to perform on stage ?
A: Actually, after ‘Sanai Choughade’ I had decided not to do any serials, but looking at the script, I agreed to do a serial like ‘Anubandh’. In a similar way, if there is really a play with good script; I may certainly opt for it’s no matter whether it is Marathi or Hindi. But, frankly speaking, I get tensed up only to tour different places along with the drama troupe.

Q: Your new film ‘Mission Possible’ is very much in the news. What you have to say about your involvement with this film ?
A: After a long time, I am playing this neutral type of role. I have really enjoyed doing this film. Pushkar is very hard working. Sanjay Khanzode’s style of working and the teamwork of the unit impressed me a lot. I met many new people here and there were many good things to learn from them on the sets of this film.

Review

‘RITA’ REVIEW

Rita Marathi Movie
Rating: 2.5/5
Presenter: Walkwater
Producers: Aarti Shetty, Pooja Shetty Devara
Director: Renuka Sahane
Story: Based on Marathi Novel ‘Rita Velvinkar’ by Shanta Gokhale
Cast: Pallavi Joshi, Renuka Shahane, Jacky Shorff,
Sai Tamhankar, Dr. Mohan Agashe, Tushar Dalvi…
Movie Review by: Priyanka Dahale

We always quivers from our past, present if it is painful. Even we never think about any relation, which is, cannot be accepted by society. Very few dare to face their past, their painful present and also dare to live unacceptable relation openly. Rita is the movie, which is based on the above lines concluded from Shanta Gokhle’s book. In the Marathi film industry, this movie gets special significance due to a sensible direction of Renuka Shahane, and also due to different presentation of different story.

Rita Welinkar is the main character in this film. Rita is the girl who got an English environment in her family by her father and mother. The image of her mother in her eyes is ‘a perfumed women’ just due to her high cultured, high fashioned lifestyle. She never saw original shade of mother’s love in her mother’s eyes. While growing in ‘conventry’ environment, suddenly a problem occurs in her family and she had to take all the responsibility of the family on her delicate shoulders. During this journey of a common struggle she met Viththal Salvi who is 15 years elder than her. As the time passes she realized that she is in love with Salvi. Same case about Salvi. And Rita starts a new life to understand herself and also to live for herself. She built up her own world with Salvi.

Pallavi Joshi

But lots of social, mental problems arise in their life due to their unacceptable relation. Rita always prefers to live openly, to make relations openly with divine and clear mind. But the situation does not allow her to live in her own way. In this travel one of her friend Saraswati helps her to stand strongly after facing storms.
The story puts lots of questions before the viewers patiently and in a decent way. Pallavi Joshi and Jackey Shroff had played roles of Rita and Salvi excellently. Mohen Aagashe, Makarand Deshpande, Renuka Shahane are the remarkable actors in this film who played their characters artistically.

The whole film have southern touch in its scenes, dialogues that give a beautiful feel of wonderful nature to viewers. Taufic Quereshi’s background music suits this feel very beautifully. This movie is the example of a ideal and sensible Marathi movie.

Renuka Shahane, Actress
Interviews

Renuka Shahane

Aside

Somebody has rightly said, “So many languages in this world and smile speaks them all” So, you can imagine how many people in this world Renuka Shahane must have communicated with, through her pleasant smile. If you ask her, she smiles; adding you to the unaccountable list of admirers. This popular actress and TV anchor, known for her characteristic smile, has now turned a film maker with her new Marathi film ‘Rita’. This will also be her directorial debut, as besides direction she has also written screenplay and dialogues of this film. Based on the original novel ‘Rita’ penned by her mother- Shanta Gokhale, Renuka has hardly made any changes to bring alive the Rita Welinkar of 1995 on mega screen. Having assertively opted for her longtime friend Pallavi Joshi, to play the central character of Rita, she is now happy that the film has come out very well and is now due for release on 4th September 2009.

Renuka Shahane, Actress

MMW caught up with Renuka Shahane, when she was promoting her film ‘Rita’ through a talk show, where her friend Pallavi Joshi was also present. Read, what Renuka has to say about her film â’Rita’.

Renuka Shahane What made you go for Pallavi to play the central role of Rita ?
I was looking for a female who would look 17 and later play the natural role at 40; and I could not think of anyone else than Pallavi. Believe me, it is not only because of our intimate friendship I selected her, but only because the role was tailor made to suit her.

Why did you opt for Jackie Shroff to play Rita’s boss-Mr. Salvi, when there were so many talented actors around, in Marathi film industry ?
Renuka: The character of Mr. Salvi- the boss, demanded a particular virtuousness, and Jackie perfectly fitted into that requirement, as described in the novel. Moreover, I could also make my producer happy by increasing the star value of my film.

And, how about yourself, playing the role of Rita’s friend  Saraswati ?
Frankly speaking, when we finalized everything about this film, I had almost exceeded my budget. If I were to offer to anyone, I had to spend extra amount. By playing Saraswati myself, I saved on the cost. But, I am happy that both myself and Pallavi could get a chance to act together in the same film.

How do you look at the relationship between Rita and her boss, when it blossoms into love affair? Isn’t it ex- marital relationship ?
The relationship between Salvi-the boss and Rita is not like love at first sight. It is an outcome of the circumstances. Nowhere in the film, the Boss is shown disloyal to his family. He cares a lot for them. In the script, it is shown that Rita, whom he supports right from the age of 17, almost becomes a part of his family, but Rita realizes that they are doing something wrong. It is about the conscience from both sides. It is at this time she seeks advice from her friend Saraswati. It is the concluding part of the film, that will make all your doubts clear about human relationships.

Who are the other important artistes to match with the characters of original story ?
In ‘Rita’ you will find Dr. Mohan Agashe playing Rita Welinkar’s father and Suhasini Muley playing her mother. I haven’t paid much attention on popular artistes to play Dolly and Sherry, but Sangeeta’s role which is well defined, is played by talented actress Sai Tamhankar. I have opted for Medha Jambhotkar to play Ms.Salvi’s ( Jackie’s wife) while Geetu Kulkarni plays Mariamma.

This movie is mainly describing the woman’s plight in this world, but in your opinion how would you describe a woman in present lifestyle ?
I would like to salute all those women, especially the working women, who are shouldering the home as well as office responsibilities. Watching them rush for their office during morning hours and witnessing some of them even getting prepared with kitchen work, by cutting the vegetables during bus or train journey , while returning home from office; is something that really needs a special mention. Some of them even take the lessons of their kids after dinner time. It is a great sacrifice from their side. They hardly find time to watch TV or even to rest, except for that incomplete sleep.

In that case, whom do you call an ideal husband ?
In today’s busy lifestyle, every husband must share the responsibilities at home front too. There are certain things which husbands can do, like giving time to the children, while mother is busy and also help his wife to whatever manner possible from his side. In my own case, Ashu took time off for three months from his work, to give time to my children, when he knew that I had to work on my film. It came automatically from his side, understanding the situation.

What’s your idea about living happy married life ?
According to me, small arguments turn into big clashes. Avoid arguments as far as possible. Even if it happens, close the argument at that time itself. Never carry forward the same for the next day. That causes more disturbance in relationship. Good , healthy Communication is the key for cordial relationship. Both husband and wife should play their respective roles like good friends.

Interviews

TUSHAR DALVI

Tushar Dalvi

If you have to identify few actors in Marathi film industry for their simplicity, modesty and commitment, Tushar Dalvi is certainly one of the few names. Having been brought up in a middle class Maharashtrian family in Mumbai and having done his post graduation in management, anybody would have expected him to take up an executive job and settle down in a typical Mumbai lifestyle. But, Tushar Dalvi opted for ‘acting’ as a full time career, taking the required risk with self confidence.

Having been in this field now for a little more than ten years, he seems to have established himself as an actor on stage, TV and films, doing variety of roles. Even as an anchor for TV programmes in Hindi and Marathi, he has managed his job very well. Today, Tushar is in demand as an actor, whether it is in television serials or films. There are tailor made roles suited to his personality. Take for example the role of eldest son with slight grey shade in ‘Anolkhe Hey Ghar Majhe’ who revolts against his father’ then playing the conservative husband of Saraswati (Renuka Shahane) in ‘Rita’ and now playing the caring husband of Bhargavi Chirmule, in popular TV serial ‘Anubandh'; Tushar is visibly in limelight. MMW caught up with Tushar on the sets of ‘Anubandh’ in Mumbai. Excerpts from an interview :

Q: How were you attracted to this field of acting ?
A: During my college days, I used to take part in Inter-collegiate drama competitions and also performed at the state level meets. Those days , I was more into experimental plays and performed on stage as a hobby, besides managing my studies. But, when I was about to finish my post graduation in Management and was doing my project work with a foreign bank, I made up my mind to take up acting as my profession.

Q: Was there any kind of opposition to your decision from family ?
A: Yes, like any other sensible parents, they too didn’t like my decision. But, they were not totally opposed to it. After marriage, my wife Malavika, who is a chartered accountant, also
Tushar Dalvi
offered her moral support to my decision and with the grace of God, I didn’t have to struggle much. I am thankful to my parents and wife for endorsing my decision. It was like getting a rubber stamp of approval.

Q: Haven’t you been typecast as a regular choice of husband, in all those women centric serial or films ?
A: No, I don’t think so. May be those serials and films you are referring to, were women centric, but they always provided me enough of scope to perform my best. Take for example Mrs. Madhuri Dixit serial. At a particular stage, the viewers started identifying the serial as Mr. Madhuri Dixit.

Q: How do you look at the change that is observed in Marathi films during the past few years ?
A: It is the change for good. The traditional comedy has been taken over by strong script oriented films. ‘Shwaas’ has shown the way and since then even the audience taste has changed. Even technically, the films are far superior now. You can now compare them with any good Hindi film. One more advantage is with the entry of bigwigs in distribution circle. People like Subhash Ghai, Zee Network and iDream productions have come forward to distribute marathi films and this has helped a lot. At a particular point, few years ago there was a bad patch with hardly 25 – 30 marathi films produced in a year, but now, you find at least one or two films released every week.

Q: Do you observe new audience for Marathi films ?
A: Yes, with the multiplexes releasing the Marathi films, surely you will have audience from different segment. With English sub-titles, even the non-maharashtrian people are becoming a part of the audience. The films like ‘Mi Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy’ and some of the latest films in 2009 have proved it.

Q: Being a management graduate, are there any future plans to launch your own production ?
A: Every person in this field has that dream; but I don’t want to say anything at present. I did have some experience of managing production in the recent past; but to own my production, I think only time will decide. There are certain things in life, which are acquired at appropriate time and you have to wait for it.

Q: How much are you influenced by people around you in this profession ?
A: There are all sorts of people with whom I have interacted so far. Some of them are very good human beings and not so good actors. At the same time, there are very good actors who are not so good in real life. But, I always believed in learning good things from them, be it their acting skills while performing or their nice behaviour in real life.